3 Maccabees 2:12-14

Revised Standard Version

¹² And because oftentimes when our fathers were oppressed you helped them in their humiliation, and rescued them from great evils, ¹³ see now, O holy King, that because of our many and great sins we are crushed with suffering, subjected to our enemies, and overtaken by helplessness. ¹⁴ In our downfall this audacious and profane man undertakes to violate the holy place on earth dedicated to your glorious name.